Recent ribbon cutting celebration hosted at Tailor-Made Physical Therapy
The O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce recently shared news of a ribbon cutting celebration that took place at Tailor-Made Physical Therapy on May 30, 2025. The business location is at 729 Insight Avenue, Suite 200, in O’Fallon. In the accompanying photo provided by the Chamber, Owner Matt Helfrich is seen holding the large scissors and preparing…
Read MoreFirst Bankers Trust promotes James Whitaker to North Regional President
First Bankers Trust, a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Bankers Trustshares Inc., has announced the promotion of James Whitaker to North Regional President. In his new role, Whitaker will oversee and lead strategic initiatives, growth, and customer relationships throughout First Bankers Trust’s northern market areas. Leveraging his extensive background in commercial, agricultural, and real estate lending,…
Read MoreS. M. Wilson & Co. wins ‘Top Workplaces 2025’ award
S. M. Wilson & Co. has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2025 honor. This list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by Energage LLC, a partner in employee engagement technology. The confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and its component themes including employees feeling “Respected and Supported, Enabled…
Read MoreThousands of barges face retirement cliff
By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek The U.S. barge market is facing a retirement cliff, which could impact ag transportation logistics, one analyst warned. Ken Eriksen, managing member and strategic adviser at Polaris Analytics & Consulting, provided an overview of the evolving landscape of agriculture and barge transport during a recent FreightWeekSTL panel session hosted by…
Read MoreAdvocates await action on bill protecting rights of immigrant students in Illinois
Bill would ensure right to free public K-12 education regardless of immigration status By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — Immigration rights advocates in Illinois are anxiously awaiting the governor’s signature on legislation aimed at protecting K-12 students who may be in the country without legal authorization from being denied access to a…
Read MoreSt. Clair County Transit District welcomes summer intern Brandon Snyder
The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) has welcomed Brandon Snyder of O’ Fallon, Ill., as its summer intern. During his time with the transit district, Snyder will gain hands-on experience in the transit industry, assisting with various MetroBikeLink trail projects, gathering research data and working on various other initiatives. Snyder is a senior at…
Read MoreBudzinski announces $485,477 in funding for central, southern Illinois rural small businesses
The Rural Energy for America Program grants will help local businesses install solar arrays Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) recently announced that three small businesses in central and southern Illinois will receive a combined $485,477 in Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quality Pontiac in Alton, The Cubby…
Read MoreSIBA awards record number of grants to support building trades, voc-ed, in 2025
The Southern Illinois Builders Association (SIBA) has announced that 40 high schools throughout Southern Illinois have been selected to receive $500 grants to support building trades and vocational education classes in 2025—an increase from 30 grant recipients in 2024. The grants are part of SIBA’s ongoing commitment to promote careers in the construction industry and…
Read MoreParents of 10-year-old girl file federal lawsuit against Taylorville School District over alleged assault
Parents say the district didn’t do enough to protect their daughter after learning of the alleged crime By JADE AUBREY and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — The parents of a 10-year-old girl who allegedly was assaulted repeatedly by a 14-year-old student in the Taylorville School District have filed a…
Read MoreCommentary: Natural gas bans could cost Illinois households up to $102K each
Report reveals devastating financial impact on 37% of Illinois families already living with income constraints and 12% in poverty Banning or restricting natural gas service could cost Illinois families as much as $101,988 per household in retrofitting expenses alone, a Consumer Energy Alliance analysis found. This report examined the severe economic burden that forced electrification would…
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